Simple answers to Complex Questions and Complex Answers to Simple Questions.
In real life, I'm a Greater-Toronto (Canada) Realtor with RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd, Brokerage. I first joined RE/MAX in 1983 and was first Registered to Trade in Real Estate in Ontario in 1974.
Formerly known as "Two-Finger Ramblings of a Forensic Acuitant turned Community Synthesizer"

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Declined Ballot - Ontario's "None of the Above" Electoral Choice

Dear Editor,

Ontario's Election Act (Section 53) provides us a little-known opportunity to vote for "None of the Above" when we exercise our citizens' duty & right - an option that is not available in Federal Elections.

The Declined Ballot does not go into the Ballot box but is counted as a purposeful choice in a distinct category. It is not a Valid Ballot in that it does not advance any one candidate, but it does represent a clear decision to abstain. Other, counted, Invalid Ballots are those with no marks ( Unmarked), those with too many marks, as well as ballots with improper marks or marks that might identify the voter (Rejected ).

In my view, the Declined Ballot is the most honourable way of expressing the "None of you" choice and it could never be misconstrued to be an error or act of rage, forgetfulness or befuddlement.

If this choice appeals to you, simply identify yourself to the Deputy Returning Officer, receive the ballot and then state "I decline to vote" and hand it back to the poll official who "shall immediately write the word "declined" upon the back of the ballot and preserve it to be returned to the returning officer and shall cause an entry to be made in the poll record that the elector declined to vote "